U.S. patent number 5,317,403 [Application Number 07/907,917] was granted by the patent office on 1994-05-31 for favorite channel selection using extended keypress.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Douglas M. Keenan.
United States Patent |
5,317,403 |
Keenan |
May 31, 1994 |
Favorite channel selection using extended keypress
Abstract
A television receiver provides a "favorite channel" selection
function for up to ten favorite channels without the addition of a
dedicated array of keys. According to the present invention, a user
holds-down a digit key for an extended period of time (preferably 3
seconds), and circuitry in the television receiver interprets this
"extended keypress" as an instruction to tune favorite channel "N"
where "N" corresponds to the digit key pressed. Two digit channel
entry can be accomplished as usual by releasing the digit keys in
less than the extended period of time (i.e., less than three
seconds). An extended keypress of a CHANNEL UP or CHANNEL DOWN key
is interpreted as a command to store the currently tuned channel in
the favorite channel memory in the location specified by the number
of the next digit key pressed. CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN
functions can be accomplished as usual by releasing the CHANNEL UP
or CHANNEL DOWN key in less than the extended period of time (i.e.,
less than three seconds). Alternatively, a separate MEMORY key may
be employed for storing favorite channel information. Pressing the
MEMORY key serves as a command to store the current channel in the
favorite channel memory location identified by the next digit key
pressed.
Inventors: |
Keenan; Douglas M.
(Noblesville, IN) |
Assignee: |
Thomson Consumer Electronics,
Inc. (Indianapolis, IN)
|
Family
ID: |
25424852 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/907,917 |
Filed: |
June 26, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/38;
348/E5.096; 348/E5.097; 348/734; 455/186.1; 455/185.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
21/42215 (20130101); H04N 21/4221 (20130101); H04N
5/44 (20130101); H04N 5/50 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
5/44 (20060101); H04N 5/50 (20060101); H04N
005/44 () |
Field of
Search: |
;358/191.1,194.1,193.1
;455/179.1,181.1,185.1,186.1,186.2 ;359/146 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Operating Guide for The Ford Electronic Sound System, pp. 2, 3, 6,
7, 10 11, 14 & 15, 1988..
|
Primary Examiner: Powell; Mark R.
Assistant Examiner: Murrell; Jeffrey S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tripoli; Joseph S. Emanuel; Peter
M. Lenihan; Thomas F.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A radio frequency receiver, comprising:
tuner means for selecting a radio frequency (RF) signal from a
plurality of RF signals;
memory means for storing tuning data relating to preferred ones of
said RF signals;
keyboard means including a plurality of numeric keys for generating
keycodes corresponding to individual ones of said keys when said
keys are activated by a user;
control means for receiving said keycodes and for generating tuner
control signals in response thereto for controlling said tuner
means;
said control means operating in a first mode for timing an interval
during which a first keycode is received when said keycode
corresponds to a predetermined value, said control means storing
tuning data corresponding to a currently tuned one of said RF
signals in said memory means when said interval exceeds a
predetermined time period, and said control means processing said
received keycode according to the content of said keycode when said
interval does not exceed said predetermined time period;
said control means operating in a second mode for timing an
interval during which a first keycode is received when said keycode
corresponds to a digit of said numeric keys, said control means
reading stored tuning data corresponding to one of said RF signals
from said memory means and tuning said RF signal when said interval
exceeds a predetermined time period, and said control means
operating in a third mode when said interval does not exceed said
predetermined time period for generating one of said tuner control
signals upon receiving the second of two of said numeric keycodes
consecutively generated by said keyboard means.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said predetermined value
corresponds to one of a CHANNEL UP keycode, a CHANNEL DOWN keycode,
and a MEMORY keycode.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said predetermined time period
is three seconds.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein,
said memory means includes a plurality of data storage locations;
and
during an operation to store channel data in said memory means, and
during an operation to read data from said memory means, said
control means uses the value of said first-received digit as a
pointer to a particular memory location.
5. Television channel selection apparatus for a television
receiver, comprising:
memory means for storing tuning data relating to preferred ones of
said television channels;
keyboard means including a plurality of numeric keys for generating
keycodes corresponding to digits of channel numbers when said keys
are activated by a user;
control means coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said
keycodes and for generating a tuning control signal in response
thereto;
said control means operating in a first mode to generate said
tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of a two
digit channel number, and operating in a second mode to generate
said tuning control signal upon receiving an instruction to tune
one of said preferred television channels;
said control means timing an interval during which data
corresponding to the first digit of said two digit channel numbers
is received, said control means operating in said second mode when
said interval exceeds a predetermined time period, and operating in
said first mode when said interval does not exceed said
predetermined time period.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said predetermined time period
is three seconds.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein,
said memory means includes a plurality of data storage locations;
and
during an operation to store channel data in said memory means, and
during an operation to read data from said memory means, said
control means uses the value of said first-received digit as a
pointer to a particular memory location.
8. Television channel selection apparatus for a television
receiver, comprising:
memory means for storing tuning data relating to preferred ones of
said television channels;
keyboard means including a plurality of numeric keys for generating
keycodes corresponding to digits of channel numbers when said keys
are activated by a user;
control means for receiving said keycodes and for generating a
tuning control signal in response thereto; and
timing means for timing a predetermined time interval;
said control means examining a received keycode and starting said
timing means if said keycode corresponds to one of a first-received
digit of one of said numeric keys, or a predetermined keycode;
said control means measuring the duration of time in which said
keycode is received, and if said duration of time reaches a
predetermined value said control means performs one of storing
current channel data in said memory means in accordance with a next
entered numeric keycode if said received keycode is said
predetermined keycode, and reading said memory means and tuning one
of said preferred channels according to stored channel data if said
received keycode is said first-received digit of one of said
numeric keys;
if said duration of time does not reach said predetermined value
said control means performs one of entering said digit as a first
digit of a two digit channel number and processing said
predetermined keycode according to its content.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein, said predetermined keycode
corresponds to one of a CHANNEL UP keycode, a CHANNEL DOWN keycode,
and a MEMORY keycode.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein, said predetermined duration
of time is three seconds.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein,
said memory means includes a plurality of data storage locations;
and
during an operation to store channel data in said memory means, and
during an operation to read data from said memory means, said
control means uses the value of said first-received digit as a
pointer to a particular memory location.
Description
This invention concerns television receivers having memory
locations for storing a list of a viewer's favorite television
channels and having numeric keyboards for direct channel
access.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is now commonplace for cable television system subscribers to
have access to 40 channels or more. Of the available channels, it
is likely that a viewer will have certain "favorites" which he
watches more often than the others. For example, a viewer may have
a favorite channel for news reports, another for sports, and yet
another for entertainment.
A television receiver model AV2771S, manufactured by JVC
Corporation, Japan, provides a menu-selectable list of five
"favorite channels" stored in each of five categories, "NETWORKS",
"MOVIES", "SPORTS", "NEWS", AND "CHOICE". However, it is felt that
having a call up a menu and then having to select a menu entry for
channel selection defeats a prime advantage of the favorite channel
function. That is, a "favorite channel" function should provide a
quick and easy way for a viewer to return to a desired channel from
any other channel.
One way to provide quick and easy access to the favorite channel
function is to provide an array of dedicated keys, one for each
favorite channel. An example of such a system is the FORD
Electronic Search AM/FM Stereo Radio installed in certain 1988
Mercury Sable automobiles. This radio includes 6 dedicated station
memory preset buttons for selecting preferred AM and FM stations.
Unfortunately, with systems employing dedicated keys, a number of
extra keys must be added to the keyboard, making it both costly and
complex.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is herein recognized that it is desirable that a television
receiver provide a favorite channel selection function for up to
ten favorite channels without the addition of a dedicated array of
keys. In apparatus according to the present invention, a user
depresses a digit key for an extended period of time (preferably 3
seconds), and circuitry in the television receiver interprets this
"extended keypress" as an instruction to tune favorite channel "N",
where "N" corresponds to the digit key pressed. Two digit channel
entry can be accomplished as usual by releasing the digit keys in
less than the extended period of time (i.e., less than three
seconds). An extended keypress of a CHANNEL UP or CHANNEL DOWN key
is interpreted as a command to store the currently tuned channel in
the favorite channel memory in the location specified by the number
of the next digit key pressed. CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN
functions can be accomplished as usual by releasing the CHANNEL UP
or CHANNEL DOWN key in less than the extended period of time (i.e.,
less than three seconds). In the event that a separate MEMORY key
is desired for storing favorite channel information, a pressing of
the MEMORY key serves as a command to store the current channel in
the favorite channel memory location identified by the next digit
key pressed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 shows, in block diagram form, an apparatus suitable for
practicing the invention.
FIGS. 2 and 6 show keyboards of remote control units suitable for
use with the invention.
FIGS. 3 and 5 are flowcharts showing portions of the control
program of the controller of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 shows a portion of the random access memory of the
controller of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, a television receiver includes an RF input
terminal 100 which receives radio frequency (RF) signals and
applies them to a tuner assembly 102. Tuner assembly 102 selects
and amplifies a particular RF signal under control of a tuner
controller 104 which provides a tuning voltage via a wire 103, and
bandswitching signals via signal lines represented by the broad
double-ended arrow 103'.
Tuner assembly 102 converts the received RF signal to an
intermediate frequency (IF) signal and provides an IF output signal
to video (VIF) and sound (SIF) amplifier and detector unit 108.
VIF/SIF amplifier and detector unit 108 amplifies the IF signal
applied to its input terminal and detects the video and audio
information contained therein. The detected video information is
applied as one input of a video processor unit 122. The detected
audio signal is applied to an audio processor 106 for processing
and amplification before being applied to a speaker (not
shown).
Video signal processor 122 supplies a composite video signal to a
sync separator unit 160 which produces vertical (V) and horizontal
(H) synchronizing signals at respective outputs. The horizontal and
vertical synchronizing signals are applied to a horizontal and
vertical deflection unit 170 for generating scanning control
signals for application to the yoke windings of a picture tube
assembly (not shown).
Tuner controller 104 (which may be within control microcomputer
110) generates the tuning voltage and bandswitching signals in
response to control signals applied from a system control
microcomputer (.mu.C) 110. The terms "microcomputer" and
"microprocessor", as used herein, are equivalent. It is also
recognized that the control function of microcomputer 110 may be
performed by an integrated circuit especially manufactured for that
specific purpose (i.e., a "custom chip"), and the term
"controller", as used herein, is also intended to include such a
device. Microcomputer 110 receives user-initiated commands from an
infrared (IR) receiver 119 and from a "local" keyboard 118 mounted
on the television receiver itself. IR receiver 119 receives IR
transmissions from remote control transmitter 128. Microcomputer
110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 113, a program memory
(ROM) 112, and stores channel-related data in a random-access
memory (RAM) 120. RAM 120 may be either internal to, or external
to, microprocessor 110, and may be of either the volatile or
non-volatile type. The term "RAM" is also intended to include
electrically-erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). One
skilled in the art will recognize that if volatile memory is
utilized, that it may be desirable to use a suitable form of
standby power to preserve its contents when the receiver is turned
off.
Microprocessor 110 may also include an on-screen display unit (OSD)
185 for generating auxiliary signals suitable for displaying
indicia, such as characters, for display on the display screen of
the picture tube. Alternatively, on-screen display unit 185 may be
external to microprocessor 110.
Microprocessor 110 also includes a timer 122 for timing an interval
under control of CPU 113. In the alternative, timer 122 may be
external to microprocessor 110, or the timing function may be
accomplished in software by, executing sets of instructions which
cause the occurrence of precisely defined delay periods. These sets
of instructions are usually in the form of subroutines, known in
the art as timing loop subroutines, which are called by the CPU, as
needed. The television receiver described thus far is known from
the RCA CTC-140 color television receiver manufactured by Thomson
Consumer Electronics, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.
FIGS. 2 and 6 show alternative keyboards 200 and 600 for remote
control transmitter 125 for controlling a color television
receiver. Keyboard 200 includes a VOLUME DOWN key 210, a VOLUME UP
key 220, and ON/OFF key 230, a CHANNEL DOWN key 240, a CHANNEL UP
key 250, and a 0-9 numeric keypad, generally designated 260, for
entering numeric data, such as channel number. Keyboard 600
includes all of the above-listed keys (designated with similar
reference numerals, except for the hundreds digit) and an
additional MEMORY key 670, the function of which will be discussed
below.
The present invention is directed to a favorite channel data entry
system for a television receiver employing a numeric keyboard,
which system allows the selection of up to ten favorite channels
without the use of a separate dedicated array of keys and without
causing a user to access a menu. Specifically, when the leading
digit of a keyboard entry is detected, the time interval in which
the key is held pressed is measured. If the time interval during
which the digit key is activated exceeds 3 seconds, then a favorite
channel selection mode is enabled. If the measured time interval
does not exceed 3 seconds, then a two digit channel entry mode is
enabled, and the desired channel is tuned upon receipt of the final
digit of the channel number.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a portion of the
keyboard decoding routine of the control program of microprocessor
110. The purpose of the portion of the routine shown in FIG. 3 is
to detect the extended keypress of the digit keys which causes the
enabling of the favorite channel selection mode. The usual keycode
decoding and display functions are performed in another portion of
the keyboard decoding routine of the control program of
microprocessor 110. The keycode decoding and display functions are
not shown in FIG. 3 because they are known per se and need not be
described here.
The routine of FIG. 3 is executed each time a keycode is received.
The routine is entered at step 300 and receives a digit from IR
receiver 119, or from local keyboard 118, at step 310. At step 315,
a check is made to determine if this is the first digit entered for
this particular channel number. If so, then the program advances to
step 320, at which timer 122 is started. At step 330, the message
"N"- is caused to be displayed on the display screen, where "N"
represents the number of the digit key pressed.
According to the invention, a channel number and a favorite channel
position may be distinguished from each other by the length of time
in which the digit key for the leading digit is held activated.
That is, if a digit key is held activated for a period of at least
3 seconds, then a favorite channel selection mode is enabled. If
not, then a 2-digit channel number entry mode is enabled.
Accordingly, at step 340 a check is made to see if the digit key is
still pressed, if not then a short activation is detected, and the
2-digit entry mode is enabled at step 325. If the digit key is
still held active by the user, then the program advances to a
timing loop comprising steps 350 and 340, which times a 3 second
period while repeatedly checking for a release of the digit key. As
noted above, exercising the timing function of step 350 may entail
either reading the output of a hardware timer such as timer 122, or
executing a timing loop subroutine. If the 3 second time interval
has expired, then the program advances to step 360 at which the
number corresponding to the digit key pressed is entered into an
index pointer register 410 as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 also shows an
array of 10 memory locations 400, numbered 0-9, hereinafter
referred to as the favorite channel memory.
At step 370, favorite channel memory 400 is accessed by the index
pointer register which causes the respective favorite channel
information stored in the numbered location corresponding to the
value in index pointer register 410 to be read out for tuning. By
way of example, in FIG. 4, index pointer 410 is shown to contain
the number "6", which indicates that the "6" digit key has been
held activated for 3 seconds or greater. A "6" in index pointer 410
causes favorite channel memory location 6 to be accessed. In this
example, favorite channel memory location 6 contains tuning data
for causing the tuning of television channel 52. After obtaining
the proper tuning data, the program is then exited at step 380 to
the remainder of the keyboard decoding routines, known per se. Step
380 is also reached directly from step 315 for the second digit
received, since the second digit does not affect the decision of
whether or not the favorite channel selection mode is to be
enabled.
When a user wishes to store tuning information in favorite channel
memory 400, the routine of FIG. 5 is executed. The favorite channel
data storage routine is entered at step 500 and receives a digit
from IR receiver 119, or from local keyboard 118, at step 510. At
step 515, a check is made to determine if this is a CHANNEL UP or a
CHANNEL DOWN command. If so, then the program advances to step 520,
at which timer 122 is started. At step 530, the message "F"- is
caused to be displayed on the display screen, where the dash is to
be replaced by the number of the next digit key pressed.
According to the invention, a CHANNEL UP/DOWN command and a Store
Current Channel as a Favorite Channel command may be distinguished
from each other by the length of time in which a CHANNEL UP or a
CHANNEL DOWN key is held activated. That is, if a CHANNEL UP or a
CHANNEL DOWN key is held activated for a period of at least 3
seconds, then a Store Current Channel as a Favorite Channel mode is
enabled. If not, then a channel up or channel down function is
executed. At step 540 a check is made to see if the CHANNEL UP or
CHANNEL DOWN key is still pressed, if not then a short activation
is detected, and the channel up or channel down command is executed
at step 525. If, at step 540, the CHANNEL UP or CHANNEL DOWN key is
still held active by the user, then the program advances to a
timing loop comprising steps 550 and 540, which times a 3 second
period while repeatedly checking for a release of the CHANNEL UP or
CHANNEL DOWN key. As noted above, exercising the timing function of
step 550 may entail either reading the output of a hardware timer
such as timer 122, or executing a timing loop subroutine. If the 3
second time interval has expired, then the program advances to step
560 at which the number corresponding to the next digit key pressed
is entered into index pointer register 410 of FIG. 4.
At step 570, favorite channel memory 400 is accessed by the index
pointer register which causes tuning data regarding the currently
tuned channel to be stored in the numbered location corresponding
to the value in index pointer register 410. By way of example, in
FIG. 4, index pointer 410 is shown to contain the number "6", which
indicates that the "6" digit key has been pressed after a CHANNEL
UP or a CHANNEL DOWN key was held activated for 3 seconds or
greater. A "6" in index pointer 410 causes tuning data
corresponding to the currently tuned channel to be stored in
favorite channel memory location 6. In this example, favorite
channel memory location 6 is programmed to contain tuning data for
causing the tuning of television channel 52 (which for purposes of
explanation is the currently tuned channel). The program is then
exited at step 580 to the remainder of the keyboard decoding
routines, known per se. Step 580 is also reached directly from step
515 for the keys other than CHANNEL UP or CHANNEL DOWN which may be
received, since those other keys do not affect the decision of
whether or not the favorite channel storage mode is to be
enabled.
An extended keypress for the storing of current channel tuning
information is known from the FORD Electronic Search AM/FM Stereo
Radio mentioned above. In that system if a key of the dedicated
station preset array is pressed and held for about two seconds, the
tuning information for the currently tuned radio station is stored
in a memory. If that key is thereafter pressed and released
quickly, the preset station is tuned. It is noted however, that
this radio lacks a numeric keyboard for direct channel entry, and
thus is forced to add the dedicated key array which the subject
invention seeks to avoid.
It is important to note that preferred embodiment of the subject
favorite channel selection system described above avoids the
necessity of modifying the control program of the remote control
unit, because the invention resides in the television receiver and
not in the remote control unit. As a result of the fact that no
modification of the remote control unit is necessary, existing
remote control units may be used when practicing the invention.
Further advantages of the above-described preferred embodiment of
the present invention are that keyboard complexity is not
increased, the cost of adding an additional key is saved, and the
cost modifying the control program of the remote control unit is
saved.
Many modern multifunction television receivers employ a remote
control unit having a keyboard including a relatively large number
of keys. It is an advantage of the above-described preferred
embodiment of the subject invention that further keys need not be
added to the keyboard, in that the user will not be forced to
search among a multitude of keys for yet another array of special
purpose keys.
If it is felt that the CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN keys should not
be shared with the favorite channel storage function, then a
compromise may be reached by the addition of a MEMORY key even
though the addition of the MEMORY key requires modification of the
remote control handunit 128. In this embodiment of the invention, a
keyboard such as the one shown in FIG. 6 is employed. The keyboards
of FIGS. 2 and 6 are identical simplified keyboards except that the
keyboard of FIG. 6 includes MEMORY key 670. In use, a short
activation of MEMORY key 670 replaces the extended keypress of the
CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN keys as described above.
The term consumer electronic equipment, as used herein, includes
television receivers and radios. The term television receiver, as
used herein, includes television receivers having a display device
(commonly known as television sets) and television receivers
without a display device, such as VCRs.
* * * * *